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United States Patent |
5,228,579
|
Kaufman
|
July 20, 1993
|
Merchandise display panel
Abstract
A merchandise display panel having a rear wall with parallel T-shaped ribs
on one or both sides forming alternating slats and grooves for receiving
merchandise hooks, shelf brackets, earring cards and the like, each groove
including an upper locating abutment rib extending inwardly a preselected
distance from the bottom of the slat above the groove and a lower locating
abutment rib extending outwardly to a second preselected distance from the
top of the slat below the groove. The preferred embodiments are extruded
in sections of thin-walled aluminum with angles providing high strength,
and with complementary extruded coupling elements along the upper and
lower edges of each section to be clamped tightly together, and with an
extruded fastener-receiving channel in each section for attachment of an
optional frame. Alternative embodiments are one-piece cold-rolled sheet
metal panels with bends providing functionally similar slats, grooves and
upper and lower abutment ribs.
Inventors:
|
Kaufman; Aaron (Rosedale, NY)
|
Assignee:
|
Bon Art International (Newark, NJ)
|
Appl. No.:
|
871668 |
Filed:
|
April 21, 1992 |
Current U.S. Class: |
211/94.01; 52/36.5 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47F 005/08 |
Field of Search: |
24/87,94,189
52/36
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4968171 | Nov., 1990 | Shell | 52/282.
|
5125518 | Jun., 1992 | Ward | 211/94.
|
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Blair M.
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A merchandise display panel defining a plurality of parallel grooves in
at least one side of the panel for receiving and holding various types of
display hardware having mounting members with different upwardly and
downwardly projecting mounting elements, comprising:
a rear wall adapted to be positioned in an upright display position;
a plurality of elongated, parallel slats extending across one side of said
rear wall in vertically spaced, generally parallel relation when the rear
wall is in the display position, said slats having substantially flat
outer sides for engaging mounting members on display hardware and upper
and lower edges forming, respectively, the lower and upper boundaries of a
plurality of grooves in said panel, and said slats being spaced outwardly
from said rear wall to receive mounting elements between the slats and the
rear wall;
a supporting web for each of said slats extending between said rear wall
and the slat and joined to the latter between the upper and lower edges
thereof, thereby to form upwardly and downwardly opening channels above
and below said webs;
a first abutment rib on each of said slats along the lower edge thereof
extending back toward said rear wall and terminating in a free inner edge
spaced below the web and spaced a first preselected distance inwardly from
the outer side of said slat;
and a second abutment rib on said rear wall below the level of the upper
edge of each slat and above the corresponding web of that slat and
projecting outwardly toward the slat, each such second rib having a free
outer edge spaced a second preselected distance inwardly from the outer
side of said slat;
said upper edges of said slats being substantially straight continuations
of the outer sides and of relatively narrow thickness for receiving
hook-like mounting elements, and said first ribs forming positioning
abutments in the upper portions of the grooves for engaging upwardly
projecting mounting elements, and said second ribs forming positioning
abutments in the lower portions of the grooves for engaging downwardly
projecting mounting elements, whereby said display panel accommodates
numerous different types of display hardware.
2. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim I wherein said slats and
said grooves are arranged on one-inch centers and the slats and the
grooves between the slats are substantially equal in width.
3. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 2 wherein the panel is a
one-piece integral metal part.
4. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and
second preselected distances are approximately 0.19 of an inch.
5. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 4 wherein said first
preselected distance is about 0.087 and second preselected distance is
about 0.197 of an inch.
6. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said thickness
of said slats is approximately 0.06 of an inch.
7. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said panel is
a double-sided display panel having a plurality of slats on both sides of
said rear wall including supporting webs and first and second abutment
ribs having the same configuration but in mirror image, whereby both sides
are usable to receive and hold display hardware.
8. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said display
panel comprises a plurality of elongated, narrow panel sections each
comprising a plurality of slats and grooves, said rear wall having
opposite edges, and further including first and second complementarily
shaped coupling elements on said opposite ends of each section for
receiving and mating with the coupling elements on adjacent sections.
9. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 8 wherein said first
coupling elements are enlargements of generally circular cross-sectional
shape on one end of each section and said second coupling elements are
arcuate walls on the opposite edges of each section defining open ended
channels of part-circular cross-sectional shape encompassing more than a
half circle, thereby to receive the first coupling elements endwise into
the second coupling elements.
10. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 9 wherein said arcuate
walls are bendable into tight gripping engagement with said first coupling
elements to join said sections rigidly together.
11. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said panel is
a one-piece extruded metal piece.
12. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 11 wherein said slats
and webs are of T-shaped cross-section, said first abutment ribs are
formed integrally with the slats at one edge thereof as right-angle bends,
and said second abutment ribs are joined integrally to said rear wall and
extend outwardly therefrom at right angles thereto.
13. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said panel is
a one-piece sheet of metal having bends forming the components of the
panel, including said first and second abutment ribs.
14. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 13 wherein said webs
are double-walled, extending to and from said slats, and the slats also
are double-walled, said first abutment rib being a corner of a V-shaped
bend extending inwardly from the lower edge of the slat and then upwardly
to the web, and said second abutment rib being a second V-shaped bend
extending outwardly from the rear wall above the web and then back
downwardly toward the inner end of the web.
15. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 14 wherein said
V-shaped bends are acute angles.
16. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 15 wherein said
V-shaped bends are substantially right angles, said web having an upper
wall extending outwardly from said second V-shaped bend to the slat and a
lower wall extending inwardly from said first V-shaped bend to said rear
wall.
17. A merchandise display panel defining a plurality of parallel grooves in
at least one side of the panel for receiving and holding various types of
display hardware and hooks having mounting members with different upwardly
and downwardly projecting mounting elements, comprising:
a substantially flat and generally rectangular, rear wall adapted to be
positioned in an upright display position;
a plurality of elongated slats extending across one side of said rear wall
in vertically spaced, generally parallel relation when the wall is in the
display position, each of said slats being T-shaped in cross-sectional
shape with the base of the "T" integrally joined to the wall and the
cross-bar of the "T" spaced outwardly from the wall and parallel thereto,
and having upper and lower edges forming, respectively, the lower and
upper boundaries of a plurality of grooves in said display panel;
a first abutment rib formed integrally with each slat along the lower edge
of the cross-bar of the "T" extending toward the wall and terminating in a
free inner edge spaced inwardly from the cross-bar to form a first
internal gap along the lower edge of the cross-bar;
and a second rib for each slat formed integrally with the rear wall and
extending outwardly therefrom below the level of the upper edge and above
a corresponding base of the T of that slat, said second ribs having a free
outer edge spaced inwardly from the cross-bar to form a second gap along
the upper edge of the cross-bar;
said gaps being of preselected sizes for receiving mounting elements of
display hardward of different standard configurations and sizes.
18. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 17 wherein said slats
and ribs are of extruded metal and are substantially uniform in thickness,
said rear wall being extruded integrally with the slats and ribs whereby
said panel is formed as one piece.
19. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 17 wherein said rear
wall has oppositely projecting ribs on the other side thereof in alignment
with the ribs on said one side, the parts on said other side being
substantial mirror-images of the parts on said one side.
20. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 17 wherein slats are
formed on one-inch centers and said first abutment ribs are spaced from
the outer sides of said slats a distance in the range of 0.187 to 0.190
and said second abutment ribs are spaced from said outer sides a distance
in the range of 0.194 to 0.200 of an inch.
21. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 20 wherein said
T-shaped ribs and said abutment ribs have a thickness of approximately
0.06 of an inch.
22. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 17 wherein said panel
is a one-piece sheet of metal with integral bends forming said ribs on
said rear wall, said first and second abutment ribs being V-shaped bends
formed, respectively, on the inner sides of the lower edges of said slats
and said rear wall below the upper edges of said slats.
23. A merchandise display panel defining a plurality of parallel grooves in
at least one side for receiving and holding display hardware having
mounting elements engageable in the grooves, comprising:
a rear wall adapted to be positioned in an upright position;
a plurality of elongated, substantially parallel slats mounted on and
extending across one side of said rear wall in spaced relation with the
rear wall and with each other to define grooves between said slats, each
slat having a substantially flat outer side with upper and lower edges
forming boundaries of grooves above and below the slat;
and an abutment rib extending inwardly from the lower edge of each slat and
spaced a preselected distance inwardly from the outer side of the slat,
thereby to form a restricted gap between the slat and the rear wall for
engagement with mounting elements that extend upwardly into the grooves;
and a second abutment rib below the upper edge of each slat in each groove
extending outwardly toward the upper edge of each slat and spaced a second
preselected distance from the outer side of the slat to form a second
restricted gap between the slat and the rear wall for engagement with
mounting elements that extend downwardly into the grooves;
the upper edges of the slats being relatively narrow and substantially
straight and aligned with the flat outer sides of the slats for engagement
with mounting elements that are hook-like in shape.
24. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 23 wherein said panel
is a one-piece metal extrusion, said slats and grooves have one inch
centers, and the first-mentioned preselected distances are approximately
0.19 of an inch.
25. A merchandise display panel as defined in claim 24 wherein said panel
has abutment ribs on both sides of said rear wall forming a double-sided
panel, the components on the other side of the panel being mirror images
of those on said one side.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to merchandise display panels for receiving and
supporting display hardware such as mounting brackets and hooks for
holding and displaying merchandise, and relates more particularly to a
display panel of the so-called "slatwall" type in which a plurality of
parallel slots or grooves are formed across at least one side of the panel
and shaped to receive and engage mounting elements on the display
hardware. Panels of this general type also are sometimes referred to as
"slotwall" panels, because of their slots.
In the past, display panels have been made in a variety of forms, one of
the popular older forms being the so-called "pegboard" panel in which wire
hooks and brackets with bent ends forming mounting elements are supported
in rows of holes spaced apart on a flat board panel. An improved version
of this kind of panel is shown in Pat. No. 4,461,443. An early alternative
to the pegboard panel was the so-called "slatboard" panel, in which a
plurality of parallel grooves or slots were cut in a panel, with specially
shaped hardware for engaging in the slots. An improved panel of this kind
is shown in Pat. No. 4,591,058, in which separate boards on a backing have
shaped edges defining the mounting grooves or slots.
Another type of display panel, designed to replace the pegboard type, is
the metal panel shown in Pat. No. 3,698,565. This panel is either
roll-formed sheet metal or extruded metal, and has a series of L-shaped
lips along at least one side forming troughs on which hardware with
hook-like mounting elements may be supported. The outer sides of these
lips lie generally in a common plane as spaced, parallel slats over which
the hook-like mounting elements are hung. Another panel of this general
type but with differently configured lips is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,678,151.
Another variation is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,331, which has T-shaped
ribs with outer ends which lie in a common plane and define upwardly and
downwardly opening channels or troughs for receiving brackets with upper
hook-like mounting elements for hanging over the upper edges of the ribs
and bodies for engaging the outer sides of the ribs, and with inwardly
extending flanges or projections for resting on the rear wall of the panel
in one of the channels.
Standard hardware has been developed for various systems of the foregoing
general types that continue to be used, some being made of wood or
composition material and others being metal or plastic. The wood and
composition versions generally are less expensive, but usually lack the
strength of metal and therefore are made in thicker and more cumbersome
styles, typically having grooves that are three or four inches apart "on
center". Other systems use two-inch spacing, and some use one-inch
spacing, with standard hardware in each case designed for the particular
slot configuration and for the spacing of the slots as well. Moreover
pegboard hardware is made in at least two sizes for use in two different
systems using 3/16 and 1/4 inch diameter holes.
While the use of metal and plastic has distinct advantages, the shapes that
have been used in the past have been relatively complex and difficult to
mass produce economically. Moreover, when made thinwalled for economy and
lightness in weight, some of these have lacked the strength needed to
support relatively heavy loads.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention resides in an improved and highly versatile
merchandise display panel of the "slatwall" or "slotwall" type that is
capable of use with most, if not all, of the standard hardware that
presently is in use, and, in addition, is capable of being mass-produced
of either extruded or roll-formed metal in single-sided and double-sided
forms that are streamlined and attractive in appearance and relatively
strong for the amount and thickness of material used. To these ends, the
display panel of the invention comprises a substantially flat rear or
inner wall that is upright when the panel is in the usual upright display
position, and a plurality of ribs of relatively thin-walled T-shaped
cross-section on at least one side of the rear wall that have spaced,
parallel outer ends, or "slats" forming a series of vertically spaced
grooves that have special abutments positioned in the grooves to provide
tight and secure holding engagement with the mounting elements of a wide
variety of the standard hardware systems presently in use.
In the preferred embodiment shown herein, the special abutments are the
free edges of two elongated ribs in each groove, one extending inwardly
along the lower edge of each slat a preselected distance from the plane of
the outer side to form an element-receiving internal slot located in the
upper portion of the groove, and the other extending outwardly from the
rear wall of the panel below the level of the upper edge of each slat with
its outer edge a second preselected distance from the plane of the outer
side. This second rib cooperates with the rear wall to form a second
element-receiving slot, this one located in the lower portion of the
groove. The free edge of the upper rib faces inwardly to engage and brace
upper mounting elements against outward movement, while the free edge of
the lower rib faces outwardly to engage and brace lower mounting elements
against inward movement. Thus, both of these ribs are positioned to assist
in holding such mounting elements firmly in load-carrying positions, as
will be seen in more detail hereinafter.
Another feature of the present invention is the capability of the panel to
be formed as a relatively thin metal extrusion or molding that has higher
than expected strength. To impart extra strength to the panel, the special
ribs are formed integrally with the T-shaped ribs and the rear wall at
substantially right angles with them, and additional short reinforcing
ribs are formed on the opposite side of the rear wall when the panel is
single-faced.
To permit extruding of the panel in elongated relatively narrow sections
and subsequent secure joining of two or more such sections into a larger
assembly, each section is made in a practical width for extruding, such as
four-inches wide, and provided with mating complementary coupling elements
along its opposite longitudinal edges. These coupling elements herein are
an enlarged upper edge forming a bead of circular cross-section having a
diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the rear or inner wall,
and two arcuate webs on the lower edge defining a downwardly opening
channel of part-circular cross-section sized to receive the bead endwise
into the channel with a close sliding fit, to be clasped in the channel.
For tightness, the metal webs may be clamped together into a securely
joined assembly, which may be painted or otherwise decorated either before
or after assembly.
Such an assembly may be used without a frame or may be enclosed in a frame,
either for free-standing use or hung on a wall or other support. To
facilitate joinder of frame members to the ends of the panel sections,
each extruded section preferably has a longitudinal part-circular fastener
channel that is formed during the extruding process in addition to the
joint-forming channel along its upper edge. The illustrative fastener
channels have part-circular walls with a gap on one side smaller than the
diameter of the channel, forming holes at the ends of the section to
receive fasteners such as machine screws through side frame members. These
elements also strengthen the panel.
Whether single-sided or double-sided, such a display panel may be made
relatively thin-walled but will have substantial strength as a result of
the various angles of the rear wall, the T-shaped ribs, the special
positioning ribs and the reinforcing ribs on the rear side, as well as the
coupling joints and the fastener channels. A suitable panel may be made of
6063-T5 aluminum on one-inch centers, with slats and grooves approximately
one-half inch wide, wall thickness of approximately 0.062 of an inch
(preferably 0.080 for the rear or inner wall), and internal ribs spaced
from the plane of the outer surface preselected distances in the range of
0.184 to 0.200 of an inch, the upper rib edge preferably being at 0.187 of
an inch, slightly closer than the lower rib edge which preferably is at
0.197 of an inch. The total panel thickness may be less than one-half inch
for a single-sided panel and less than one inch for a double-sided panel.
These dimensions may be varied, of course, without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
Two alternative embodiments are one-piece panels formed of cold-rolled
steel, preferably in a standard sheet metal thickness such as 0.0179 or
0.0239 of an inch, with bends in the steel providing abutment surfaces and
dimensions that are similar to those of the extruded form. Functionally,
these embodiments are closely similar to the extruded embodiments.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a double-sided merchandise display
panel formed of extruded metal in accordance with the present invention,
shown in an illustrative frame that is supported in an upright display
position on an illustrative base, and with representative hardware members
mounted on one side of the panel;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and showing the engagement of the hardware
members in the grooves;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view taken within the
arc 3 of FIG. 1 and partially broken away and shown in cross-section;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing a
single-sided display panel of extruded metal without a base, with other
representative hardware members mounted on the panel;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2
taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4, showing the single-sided panel and the
manner of engagement of the additional hardware members in the grooves;
and
FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic end views of alternative embodiments of the
invention that are roll-formed or cold-rolled sheet metal panels with
similar hardware-engaging capabilities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 1-3)
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 for purposes of illustration the invention is
embodied in an extruded metal merchandise display panel, indicated
generally by the reference number 10 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, mounted in an
illustrative frame 11 on a base 12 and having a plurality of spaced,
horizontal slats 13 supported on a rear or inner wall 14 and defining a
plurality of grooves or slots 15 in the front or outer side of the panel
for supporting a number of representative pieces of display hardware 17,
18, and 19. These pieces of hardware comprise two so-called "slatwall
brackets" 17 and 18 of slightly different configurations and a shelf
bracket 19 of the slatwall type. Other pieces of hardware 20, 21, 22 and
23 and a jewelry card 24 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 also may be used on the
panel 10.
It is to be understood that the various pieces of hardware, including the
jewelry card 24, are conventional and standard parts that are well known
in the merchandising field, having been designed for use with a variety of
different display panels. The upper slatwall bracket 17 has an outwardly
projecting hanger arm 25 for holding an article of merchandise (not shown)
and a mounting plate that is engageable with the panel. For this purpose,
the plate has a flat body 27 which rests against the outer side of the
display panel 10, herein against the outer sides of two slats 13, and an
upper bend 28 that extends inwardly into the slot above the body, forming
a shoulder that is engageable with the upper edge 29 of the slat and an
upper edge portion 30 that projects upwardly with the slot to hold the
slatwall bracket in place. The second slatwall bracket 18 is similar, but
has an inwardly bent lower end portion 31 that projects into a lower slot
15 and abuts against the rear wall 14 to stabilize the bracket. Both of
these brackets presently are used in popular slatwall systems.
Two other variations in slatwall hardware are represented by the shelf
bracket 19 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a mini bracket 23 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The shelf bracket is an extruded metal part with two parallel flanges 32
for receiving and holding a glass or wood shelf 33, and braced by a web
34, and with a rear wall 35 forming a body engageable with two or more
slats 13. A holding rib 37 along the upper edge is engaged in the upper
slot, and a shoulder 38 beneath the holding rib is engageable with the
upper edge 39 of the slat 13 immediately below the slot. The mini bracket
23 differs in that it has an upper edge portion 40 which is bent over to
form a hook that is sized to fit closely over the upper edge 39 of a slat
13, a body 41 that engages the same slat, a lower end portion that has an
inward bend 42 extending into the slot below the slat, and a straight
lower edge portion 43 trapped inside the next lower slat. The earring card
24 (FIG. 5) is similar in having a bent upper edge portion 44 for hanging
over the upper edge of a slat. The body 45 of the earring card, which
typically is light and somewhat flexible material, simply hangs down
across one or more of the slats 13.
The illustrative pegboard items shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 represent three
different kinds of pegboard hardware. First, the lower hook 22 is of the
well-known kind that is made of wire and is bent to form a body 47 at the
inner end of the hook, for abutting against the outer side of one of the
slats 13, and an inwardly bent portion 48 extending into the slot 15 and
an upwardly bent tip 49 behind the slat above. When used in a standard
pegboard panel (not shown), the bend 48 goes through a hole and the tip 49
engages the rear side of the board. Often, such a hook has a lower peg
(not shown) for engagement with a lower pegboard hole.
Shown above the standard wire hook 22 is the pegboard hook 21 which has a
stamped sheet metal body 50 having two integral "ears" 51 on opposite
sides constituting mounting elements for engagement with the panel, the
hook itself being welded at 52 to the body. Above this hook is the hook
20, which is a molded plastic hook that has generally the same
configuration, including a plastic body 53 and two "ears" 54 constituting
mounting elements, but has a double plastic arm 55 that is molded with the
body and the ears. These hardware items are merely illustrative. It is to
be understood that numerous such items may be positioned around the panel
as needed to hold various kinds of merchandise thereon.
In accordance with the present invention, the merchandising display panel
10 has a substantially flat rear or inner wall 14 that is upright when the
panel is in the upright display position and a plurality of elongated ribs
of T-shaped transverse cross-section on at least one side of the rear wall
forming the slats 13 and defining the grooves 15, with special abutments
57 and 58 (see FIG. 2) positioned in the grooves to provide secure holding
engagement with the mounting elements of various standard items of display
hardware. In the preferred embodiments shown herein, two sets of such
abutments are provided, one upper set in each groove 15 facing inwardly
and spaced a preselected distance from the outer side of the slat 13 above
the groove, and one lower set facing outwardly and spaced a second
preselected distance from the outer side of the slat 13 below the groove.
These abutments herein are the inner and outer edges, respectively, of two
ribs 59 and 60 in the grooves, spaced from the slats to form narrow gaps
for receiving the mounting elements of the various hardware pieces and
providing firm locating engagement in the grooves.
More specifically, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the extruded panel 10
of this embodiment is of the double-sided type in which similar T-shaped
ribs are provided on both sides of the rear or inner wall 14 so that both
faces of the panel can be used to display merchandise. The configuration
on each side is essentially a mirror image of the other side, so the
description of one side describes the other as well. Thus, the same
reference numbers can be used on each side. The T-shaped ribs on both
sides have outer ends that form the slats 13 and have webs 61 that extend
between the slats and the inner wall 14 to support the slats in spaced
relation on the panel 10. The webs are integrally joined at opposite ends
to the inner wall and to the slats, preferably midway between the upper
and lower edges of the slats, and are horizontal when the inner wall is in
a vertical display position.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the upper abutment ribs 59 extend inwardly from
the lower edges of the slats 13, level with those edges and at
right-angles with the outer surfaces of the slats, which lie in the plane
of the outer face of the panel, making the lower portion of each slat
generally L-shaped. The lower abutment ribs 60 extend outwardly from the
inner wall 14 immediately below the level of the upper edges 39 of the
slats, at right angles with the plane of the inner wall, which parallels
the plane of the slats. In the double-sided panel, the lower abutment ribs
60 on opposite sides of the panel are aligned in pairs, as are the webs
61. These elements preferably have a constant wall thickness, although the
inner wall 14 may be made somewhat thicker for increased strength.
Although the invention may be embodied in panels with other dimensions, it
has been found to be particularly advantageous to design the slats on
one-inch "centers" (that is, with one slat and one groove per inch) so
that small hardware pieces designed for this size and spacing may be used,
as well as hardware designed for panels with grooves on two-inch,
three-inch or four-inch centers. All are usable with the invention when
constructed on one-inch centers. In addition, the preferred embodiment is
designed to use wall thicknesses as thin as practically
possible--approximately 0.06 of an inch in 6063 T-5 aluminum (nominally
0.062), preferably with an inner wall that is either 0.062 or 0.080 of an
inch thick.
With this basic design, it has been found that the optimum spacing of both
abutment edges is approximately 0.19 of an inch with the preferred spacing
of the upper ribs 59 slightly below 0.19 and the preferred spacing of the
lower ribs 60 slightly above 0.19. Preferably the edges 57 of the upper
abutment ribs 59 are spaced from the outer sides of the slats a distance
in the range of 0.184 to 0.190 of an inch, and specifically about 0.187 of
an inch, while the edges 58 of the lower abutment ribs 60 from the outer
sides are spaced a distance in the range of 0.194 to 0.200 of an inch, and
specifically about 0.197 of an inch. The preferred spacing of the outer
sides from the inner wall 14 is less than one-half of an inch, so that a
double-sided panel is less than one inch thick.
A practical limitation in extruding is the size of the die that can be
produced at reasonable cost. To keep this size within reasonable limits,
the panel 10 preferably is made in sections that can be joined together to
make a larger panel. As shown herein, each section in the preferred
embodiment comprises four slats 13 and has mating complementary coupling
elements on its opposite ends, in the form of an enlarged bead 62 on one
end of the inner wall 14 and a channel 63 on the other end. The channel is
defined by two arcuate webs 65 and is of part-circular cross-section so as
to receive the bead 62 endwise with a close sliding fit. To secure two or
more panel sections together, the arcuate webs 64 are clamped together
into a securely joined panel assembly.
A panel of this type may be used with or without a frame, and may be hung
on a wall or other support, or held in a display position on a base. The
illustrative frame 11 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is made up of side and end
extruded frame members 67 and 68 secured to the top and sides of the
panel, and the base 12 for holding the assembly in the vertical display
position shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the lower end. The illustrative
top end member 68 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is a cap-like extruding with two
depending flanges 70 that straddle the top two slats 13 of the panel 10,
and two sidewalls 71 that close the top groove 15 on each side. The side
frame members 67 similarly straddle the sides of the panel, as shown in
FIG. 3, and are suitably fastened in place, for example, by screws 71 as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
To facilitate joinder of the frame members to the panel 10, each section of
the panel herein has longitudinal fastener channel 72 of part-circular
cross-section in addition to the joint channel 62 along its lower edge. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these fastener channels are defined by
part-circular walls 73 that are integrally formed with the inner walls,
each having a gap along one side (for extrusion purposes) and opposite
open ends at the ends of the panel section. The screws 71 are tightly
received in the open ends.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the inner ribs 60a in the two grooves 15 that
contain the screw-receiving channel 72 and the joint channel 62 are formed
on the arcuate walls, whereas the inner ribs 60 in the remaining grooves
are formed directly on straight portions of the inner wall 14. The spacing
of the outer edges 59 of these walls from the outside planes of the panel,
however, is the same.
Description of the Second Embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5)
Shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an illustrative single-sided panel 10' that is
framed in side and end members 67 and 68 as in the first embodiment, and
having T-shaped ribs on only one side of the rear or inner wall 14, the
right-hand side as viewed in FIG. 5. Because the components of this panel
on one side are identical to corresponding parts of the first panel 10,
the same reference numbers are used to identify these parts.
The primary difference, other than omission of the T-shaped ribs on the
left-hand or rear side of the panel 10', is the provision of reinforcing
ribs 74 that are aligned with the webs 61 on the opposite side of the
inner wall 14, and the addition of one downturned flange 75 at the upper
end of each panel section to facilitate hanging of the single-sided panel
in a display position. Both the ribs 74 and the flange 75 add strength to
the panel. In other respects, the second embodiment is identical to the
first embodiment.
Third and Fourth Embodiments (FIGS. 6 and 7)
Shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are two alternative embodiments that are made by
bending steel sheet metal into a continuous and repeating pattern
producing functionally similar display panels 77 and 78. In FIG. 6, in
which some corresponding parts are indicated with primed reference
numbers, a sheet is bent to form a series of generally T-shaped,
double-walled ribs that project outwardly from one side of a rear wall
that is formed by several flat lengths 79 of sheet material between the
ribs. Between each pair of ribs is a groove 15' that opens into the panel
from that side and has upper and lower portions, between adjacent ribs,
for receiving the mounting elements of display hardware (not shown) to be
mounted on the panel.
Each rib has two side-by-side webs 61' that extend out from the rear wall,
with an upright wall 13' that forms the outer side of the "T" in the plane
of the outer face of the panel. An upright wall 80 forms the inner side of
the channel above the rib and is joined to the outer wall by a bend 39'
constituting the upper edge of the slat. To form an upper positioning
abutment corresponding to the edge 57 of the upper rib 59 in the first
embodiment, a V-shaped bend is formed in the sheet between the upright
wall 13' and the lower web wall 61', projecting inwardly from the lower
edge with a corner 57' of the bend constituting the abutment. This corner
is spaced the preselected first distance from the outer side of the slat
13'. The illustrative V-shaped bend is at an acute angle of approximately
sixty degrees.
Similarly, to form a lower positioning abutment corresponding to the edge
58 of the lower rib 60, another V-shaped bend is formed in the wall
section 77 below the upper edge 81 of the outer wall 13', with an
outwardly extending upper wall and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined
return wall, joined by a bend 58' constituting the lower positioning
abutment in each groove 15'. This bend is shown as having an angle of
approximately forty-five degrees.
It will be understood that the entire sheet metal panel 77 shown in FIG. 6
will be one integral piece, preferably shaped by cold-rolling, and that
the dimensioning of the outer slats 13' and the grooves 15' between the
slats, and the positioning of the abutment corners 57' and 58', will be
done in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. Thus, this
sheet metal embodiment will perform in substantially the same manner as
the extruded form. As previously stated, suitable materials will be steel
sheet material in thicknesses of 0.0179 of an inch (20 gauge) or 0.0239 of
an inch (24 gauge).
The other cold-rolled sheet metal panel 78 shown in FIG. 7 is substantially
the same as that shown in FIG. 6 except for the configuration of the bends
forming the upper and lower abutments. In this view, some corresponding
parts are indicated with double-primed reference numbers. In this panel,
the two abutment corners, above and below the web, numbered 57" and 58",
respectively, are corners of right-angle bends, and the upper and lower
web walls 61" extend approximately one-half the distance between these
bends and the opposite ends of the web, the lower web wall extending from
the inner wall 79" approximately one-half the way to the slat 13" and the
upper web wall extending approximately one-half the way back. In all other
significant respects, this embodiment may be the same as the embodiment in
FIG. 6.
Conclusion
With each of the display panels of the present invention, the various items
of shelf hardware shown in the drawings may be engaged in the grooves or
slots that are defined between the outer "slat" ends of adjacent ribs on
the panel, whether those ribs are the preferred extruded form, the
alternative cold-rolled form, or an equivalent construction. The two
abutment ribs in the upper and lower portion of each groove are positioned
for firm locating engagement with the various mounting elements that are
in use in the several standard systems that exist in the market place. The
upper abutment ribs are located to engage the upper elements of slatwall
brackets as shown in FIG. 2, or to engage pegboard hooks or "ears", as
shown in FIG. 5, and the lower abutment ribs are positioned to engage
depending mounting elements such as the lower lip of the mini slatwall
bracket shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the upper edge portion of each slat
is sized to fit into hook-like mounting elements such as the bent end of
the mini slat wall bracket or the similar bend on the earring card.
Finally, it is to be noted that the panels of the invention are adapted to
accept hardware from one-inch, two-inch, three-inch and larger systems.
From the foregoing, it will be evident that the present invention provides
a highly versatile merchandise display panel that may be economically
mass-produced of thin-walled but high strength extruded or cold-rolled
metal, and is highly effective for its intended purpose, and that is of
attractive streamlined appearance that makes it highly desirable for
display use. It also will be evident that, while several embodiments have
been illustrated and described in detail, various modifications and
changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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